Post by: derekeking on January 16, 2013, 02:18:27 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 16, 2013, 02:19:54 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 16, 2013, 02:21:24 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 16, 2013, 02:26:48 PM
yEAH ...HIT THE SKAGIT ....THEY ARE THICK ! :tup:He's in Olympia not Everett :chuckle:
Post by: Disturbed1 on January 16, 2013, 02:29:55 PM
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 16, 2013, 02:39:03 PM
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 16, 2013, 03:02:52 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 16, 2013, 03:08:01 PM
Dec/Jan being the best months for steelies, Teetering off in march when the chinook start to show.
Post by: derekeking on January 16, 2013, 04:37:12 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 16, 2013, 04:57:39 PM
thanks for all the suggestions, guess im living in the right spot. Im plannin on headin to the cowlitz next day off, heard to explore around blue creek.Blue creek would be the spot.
Post by: jumpin on January 16, 2013, 05:14:57 PM
yEAH ...HIT THE SKAGIT ....THEY ARE THICK ! :tup:He's in Olympia not Everett :chuckle:
mount vernon ?
Post by: dawei on January 16, 2013, 07:43:17 PM
Wynootchee, Toutle, green, nisqually, cowlitz, newakum, skookumchuck, coweeman, chehalis, take your pickNisqually is closed as of 01/13. Skookumchuck will be good in Feb & March; Cowlitz is hot NOW!
Post by: Bullkllr on January 17, 2013, 08:28:25 AM
Wynootchee, Toutle, green, nisqually, cowlitz, newakum, skookumchuck, coweeman, chehalis, take your pickNisqually is closed as of 01/13. Skookumchuck will be good in Feb & March; Cowlitz is hot NOW!
Nisqually has not been open for even fishing for winter steelhead in like 20 years.
WDFW is really changing the way they do smolt plants in many streams as well. Many smaller streams are not even getting plants at all any more. Info is available on the WDFW website. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/steelhead/2011.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/steelhead/2011.html)
IMO if you want to learn something, and have a chance to actually catch a fish, go to the Cowlitz. It not the river it used to be, due to decreased planting, but it puts out a couple thousand fish in Dec/Jan still. As you gain experience you will want to branch out from there.
Post by: BigGoonTuna on January 17, 2013, 11:47:00 AM
the last few weeks have been more crowded than i've ever seen during the week on the rivers in my area, probably due to the nice(but cold) weather, even on a few that i fish that don't get hatchery plants. time to call up a few land owners and see if they'll still let me fish on their private property...
Post by: 7mmfan on January 18, 2013, 12:14:01 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on January 18, 2013, 01:49:52 PM
Post by: GEARHEAD on January 18, 2013, 02:07:31 PM
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 18, 2013, 02:39:10 PM
Skookumchuck is a complete bust this year, worst ive seen ever!
LOL
Post by: TheHunt on January 18, 2013, 07:41:32 PM
It was either that or Snoqualmie...
Post by: SkookumHntr on January 19, 2013, 09:20:58 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on January 19, 2013, 12:48:03 PM
If just catching a fish is the important part, then yeah, head to Blue Creek. You won't learn much there though, other then how many slobs there actually are. If you want to learn how to fish for steelhead (reading water, ID'ing structure, working the water grid style) Blue Creek is not the place to go. Head to the Kalama, Grays or the Wynoochee/Satsop. The upper Wynoochee has MILES of water that is bank fishing only and gets little to no pressure. You'll be on your own, which in my opinion is the most important part of the day, and you'll be able to learn how to do it all without 100 guys on either side of you and worrying about getting tangled up or having some russian guy steal your fish, just sayin.
Not having fished BC in awhile... has it really gotten that bad?
Of course you are right about fishing "other" places to really learn how to really fish for steelhead and actually enjoy your time on the water. That said, one of the more important factors for most rookie steelheaders is having some reasonable chance for success. Not knowing too much about the OP, I am assuming he is brand new to the game. The Cow has more fish per mile of river, hence a greater chance for a rookie to make a connection w/a fish. And there are other places to fish the Cow besides the heart of the line-up at BC. If he fished the Cow, he would at least be likely to see what other successful anglers were doing.
He will want to learn the basics and the finer points, but that takes time. And gas. And money. The biggest thing to accelerate the learning curve would be hooking up with an experienced, ethical fisherman; otherwise he could spend a lot of time/gas/money wandering around and figuring out little or having minimal chance for success.
Keep in mind, every time you mention a river or spot by name on the web...someone :'(
Post by: xX Let ER Rip Xx on January 19, 2013, 01:30:17 PM
Bullklr......
I couldnt agree more......when I was first trying to figure out these creatures called steelhead, I put so many miles on my rig trying to find placws to get away from people and trying to find a good piece of water to fish. I wish I would have had the luxary to be able to go with someone who was experienced...............un fortunately back then everyone I talked tp always said just go to the cowlitz.................... :bash: :bash:
Since then I have learned a ton of good places and the proper techniques to be succesful, but it will take time, money, lots of different gear, and again........TIME........
Post by: GEARHEAD on January 19, 2013, 02:10:13 PM
Post by: bankwalker on January 19, 2013, 04:51:56 PM
It's hardly a place for a rookie to learn the ins and outs of steelheading. AND will teach very bad habits, when the successful people are using less than ethical techniques to catch fish.
If you are a rookie and want to legitimately catch steelhead. Go fish the nooch. There are a lot of fish, a lot of people (like the cowlitz), you can observe people being successful and ask questions. You'll see a lot more proper steelheading success and techniques to catch steelhead. And have a very good chance at catching fish.
If all else fails. Meet up with me and I'll gladly show you the ropes
Post by: huntnphool on January 19, 2013, 04:55:52 PM
I would hardly call success at the cowlitz as real successful steelheading. 80% of fish caught from the bank are flossed. The fish are not the best biters, when fishing off the bank. You have big competition from sleds casting towards the bank, bank fishers casting towards boats, tons of spooked fish with very little bite windows throughout the day.Not everyone uses those methods, we "legitimately" catch fish there quite often.
It's hardly a place for a rookie to learn the ins and outs of steelheading. AND will teach very bad habits, when the successful people are using less than ethical techniques to catch fish.
If you are a rookie and want to legitimately catch steelhead. Go fish the nooch. There are a lot of fish, a lot of people (like the cowlitz), you can observe people being successful and ask questions. You'll see a lot more proper steelheading success and techniques to catch steelhead. And have a very good chance at catching fish.
If all else fails. Meet up with me and I'll gladly show you the ropes
Post by: KenPCPilot on January 19, 2013, 04:57:34 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 19, 2013, 05:04:30 PM
Went out Thursday for the first time with a guide. Total skunk! only saw one on the beach at Blue creek on the Cowlitz river. Other guides reported same results. He did offer use another 1/2 price Springer trip but very disappointing. Hope some others are having better luck.Last Friday/Saturday they raised the river almost 4000cf/sec, and left it until yesterday, when they dropped it a bit again. I have found the bite to be off a bit when they raise it that much, until they drop it again or leave it that way for a couple weeks. Could be part of your problem on Thursday. :dunno:
Post by: Bullkllr on January 19, 2013, 07:43:08 PM
...maybe a little too much :dunno:
Post by: bankwalker on January 19, 2013, 08:25:08 PM
I would hardly call success at the cowlitz as real successful steelheading. 80% of fish caught from the bank are flossed. The fish are not the best biters, when fishing off the bank. You have big competition from sleds casting towards the bank, bank fishers casting towards boats, tons of spooked fish with very little bite windows throughout the day.Not everyone uses those methods, we "legitimately" catch fish there quite often.
It's hardly a place for a rookie to learn the ins and outs of steelheading. AND will teach very bad habits, when the successful people are using less than ethical techniques to catch fish.
If you are a rookie and want to legitimately catch steelhead. Go fish the nooch. There are a lot of fish, a lot of people (like the cowlitz), you can observe people being successful and ask questions. You'll see a lot more proper steelheading success and techniques to catch steelhead. And have a very good chance at catching fish.
If all else fails. Meet up with me and I'll gladly show you the ropes
I'm not arguing people don't....I catch plenty of fish on float/jig or drifting bait on the cowlitz.
But it still does not change the fact that 80% of the fish caught off the bank are flossed....
If you want to argue that fact, you are only fooling yourself.
Most people who go there hoping to learn to catch fish, will see guys catching more fish flossing then other methods. Then think that is the better method to catch steelhead....then bring that method to other rivers. It's a simple fact...look at how flossing has progressed throughout salmon fisheries.
Again, no argument on people catching fish legally on the cowlitz. I'm just making an obvious statement.
There are a lot other rivers I would suggest a rookie to fish over the cowlitz.
Post by: bankwalker on January 19, 2013, 08:28:15 PM
Man, some of you guys sure hate the Cowlitz...
...maybe a little too much :dunno:
I don't hate the cowlitz, I have never left the cowlitz having a bad time. I always catch fish and have a great time fishing.
I just dislike the way some people fish there. It's sickening at times
Post by: Crunchy on January 19, 2013, 09:01:02 PM
Post by: Martinhunter on January 19, 2013, 11:34:20 PM
Skookumchuck is a complete bust this year, worst ive seen ever!
It's little early to be saying its a bust unless of course your trying to just keep people away lol.
Post by: WAmuleyHunter on January 19, 2013, 11:59:50 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 20, 2013, 12:19:24 AM
:chuckle: where do your numbers come from? Is this a documented, scientific survey or is this just some BS random number pulled out of your ars in a attempt to legitimize your opinion? 80% really? :chuckle:Not everyone uses those methods, we "legitimately" catch fish there quite often.But it still does not change the fact that 80% of the fish caught off the bank are flossed....
Post by: bloodhound on January 20, 2013, 12:38:05 AM
Post by: throttlejocky20 on January 20, 2013, 10:29:15 AM
If just catching a fish is the important part, then yeah, head to Blue Creek. You won't learn much there though, other then how many slobs there actually are. If you want to learn how to fish for steelhead (reading water, ID'ing structure, working the water grid style) Blue Creek is not the place to go. Head to the Kalama, Grays or the Wynoochee/Satsop. The upper Wynoochee has MILES of water that is bank fishing only and gets little to no pressure. You'll be on your own, which in my opinion is the most important part of the day, and you'll be able to learn how to do it all without 100 guys on either side of you and worrying about getting tangled up or having some russian guy steal your fish, just sayin.Upper nooch or kalama. :tup: Lots of good bank spots way less people.
Post by: huntnphool on January 20, 2013, 10:50:59 AM
Are you guys sitting down?.............
Post by: TheHunt on January 20, 2013, 01:26:26 PM
There are many long leaders being fished out on the cow. Heck there were people with 16 to 20 foot leaders. That is flossing and it drives me nuts. The cow now has a group of folks who could be all be related which sit on a hole and just switch out family members. So I said to myself, you switch out I move in as well. There were a few words but there is a real problem down there.
Talk to officer Scott from Region 6. He will tell you the same. There are way more important things they should be doing then jerking with these folks. I did recommend that they add a rule to the fishing regulations which state that leaders can only be 8 feet long. Only from Barrior Dam down to the clay bank below Blue Creek. He laughed and said that would make many people very in effective in their fishing technique.
I am hoping the Skook gets better.
Post by: huntnphool on January 20, 2013, 01:34:22 PM
I spoke to a buddy yesterday that told me they netted a fish in the hatchery a few days ago and along with other fish, released them back down river a ways. He said the one main fish they were looking at ended back up in the pen yesterday so they carted it back down river and released it again.They estimated the fish at 35# :yike:
Are you guys sitting down?.............
Post by: derekeking on January 21, 2013, 12:00:18 PM
Ended up on the upper wynoochee, had a great time hikin, caught/released what looked like some old nasty native cohos. Definitely some steelies in there, saw one landed, but none on for me still tryin to master when/where to jig, spin, spoon or globall. Great river though.
Post by: Smossy on January 24, 2013, 11:57:40 PM
Went out Thursday for the first time with a guide. Total skunk! only saw one on the beach at Blue creek on the Cowlitz river. Other guides reported same results. He did offer use another 1/2 price Springer trip but very disappointing. Hope some others are having better luck.Last Friday/Saturday they raised the river almost 4000cf/sec, and left it until yesterday, when they dropped it a bit again. I have found the bite to be off a bit when they raise it that much, until they drop it again or leave it that way for a couple weeks. Could be part of your problem on Thursday. :dunno:
I was at blue creek last week, Only seen one fish on the bank in 6 hours.
Went to peek at barrier dam. Wasnt a single living soul there. NEVER not seen anyone there.
Then on top of that I heard the sirens two different times in 30 minutes that they were releasing more water.
Couple older gentlemen at blue creek said its the worst run they have seen in over 12 years. Sucks.
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 25, 2013, 12:05:58 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 26, 2013, 11:24:19 AM
Post by: GEARHEAD on January 26, 2013, 12:51:40 PM
Post by: huntnphool on January 26, 2013, 02:04:17 PM
i was Blue last Tuesday, and just when ya think it cant get worse with the types of individuals and the fraud they perpetrate, it does. I watched this guy carrying three loads to the disabled spot, im talking big tackleboxes, bags misc gear and nets and even a propane tank and heater, three trips it took him. when i returned walking by three hours later, i observed that he had made a fourth trip, because now he had a wheel chair setting in there too. with him are three very loud retarded drunks, smoking dope, and carrying side arms, they are in their 30's, very "Able", one could even play as a line backer, and they are of course in the disabled spot fishing. They are staying down there in a large trailer, with a giant black dodge displaying a large disability placard, just absolute scum. might as well just buy fish at the store because that aint fishing. White trash Central down there.I was there Wednesday and saw that rig, and the guys you are talking about. Funny, we drifted by at one point and one of those guys made a comment about us drifting by with our gear so close to theirs, even though they were standing fishing between the boundary signs. :chuckle:
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 26, 2013, 09:33:18 PM
Post by: eggster on January 27, 2013, 07:42:11 AM
Post by: huntnphool on February 04, 2013, 08:03:57 PM
Post by: ML_Hunter on February 06, 2013, 12:45:37 AM
Post by: TripleB on February 06, 2013, 01:00:40 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 06, 2013, 08:43:22 AM
Cowlitz is hott right now, has highest count of 20,000+ annually steelhead caught.
Dec/Jan being the best months for steelies, Teetering off in march when the chinook start to show.
March is the best for BIG steelies as thats when the B run comes in. Say good bye to the early run. This will be its last year....
Post by: haus on February 13, 2013, 03:38:59 AM
Hey everyone, new to the forums here, I'm living in Olympia, trying to get into some steelhead fishing. Was checking stuff out at the wynoochee and the satsup last weekend with no luck. Does anyone know of a good river close by to check out this time of year that might be running?having any success derek?
Post by: derekeking on February 13, 2013, 08:27:56 PM
I've had a good time tryin my luck at the nooch and skookumchuck with no fish caught at either river yet. Saw one at the skookumchuck last time I was there a week ago or so; guessin I just gotta put in the hours. I heard that there might be some good spots on the peninsula; I'm thinking about tryin out the Ho or some places out there next. Also heard that I might be able to find a good spot on the chehalis.Hey everyone, new to the forums here, I'm living in Olympia, trying to get into some steelhead fishing. Was checking stuff out at the wynoochee and the satsup last weekend with no luck. Does anyone know of a good river close by to check out this time of year that might be running?having any success derek?
Post by: WSU on February 14, 2013, 02:07:18 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 14, 2013, 02:43:37 PM
Post by: Martinhunter on February 14, 2013, 07:54:07 PM
Post by: derekeking on February 16, 2013, 11:34:46 AM
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on February 16, 2013, 11:41:02 AM
Post by: derekeking on February 24, 2013, 04:28:13 PM